Water gap gate



April 28, 1953 w. B. KING v 2,636,296

WATER GAP GATE Filed June 24, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 W. B. KING WATER GAP GATE April 28, 1953 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed June 24, 1949 JNVENTOR. WlLLlAM B. Kme

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATER GAP GATE William B. King, Yuma, Colo.

Application June 24, 1949, Serial No. 101,167

5 Claims. l

This invention relates to a gate for a water gap, and more particularly to a swingable gate for restraining cattle within the bounds of a selected area while providing for the free ow 0f a stream or water course therethrough.

It is an object of this invention to provide a vertically-swinging water-gap gate of the kind to be more particularly described hereinafter formed in sections which may be coupled together on a common suspension cable or supporting member to provide a gate of any selected or desirable width.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water-gap gate of this kind having separated or spaced-apart gate-forming vertical rods or posts extending into the water and secured together at their upper ends for permitting the free ow of water and floating debris between the gate bars in the normal and flood stages of the water.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a sectional water-gap gate of this kind which is preferably made of metal to suitably endure the wear of time and water, and is adjustably suspended above the water to provide for the engagement of the bars within the water above the bottom of the water course.

With the above and other objects in View, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a water-gap gate constructed according to an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates generally a water-gap gate constructed according to an embodiment of my invention, for restraining cattle or other livestock within a selected area having a water course therein while providing for the free flow of the water at the various stages of the water level, as under normal conditions and at flood stages. The gate I will provide for the unobstructed ow of the water through the water gap or course and is formed for the free passage of logs and other 2 forms of debris through the gate, the gate restraining the passage or free movement of the livestock through the gate when the gate is being moved to provide for the free passage of large obstructions floating in the water.

The water-gap gate ID is formed of a vpair of spaced-apart posts or supporting members I I, I I', fixed on the opposite sides of the water course I4. The posts or supporting members II, II', are formed of metal pipes, tubing or other rigid supporting members which lare embedded, at their lower ends, in concrete I5, I5', and extend vertically upwardly above the surface of the surrounding earth. Eye bolts I8, I6', are extended transversely through the extreme upper ends of the posts I E, I I', and have the eyes I1, Il', respectively, on the outer sides thereof. Disc-shaped concave anchor plates I8, I8' are submerged in the ground adjacent the supporting posts I I, I l', and are secured to the eyes Il, I1', by suitable cables I9, I9'. The ground anchors I8, IB', together with the cables I9, I9', will suitably support the posts Il, II', Iagainst displacement from their anchors I5, I5', during the movement of the gate members to be described hereinafter. The cables I9, I9', are extended downwardly and outwardly from the extreme upper ends of the posts I I, I I', forming braces for holding the posts II, Il', against swinging inwardly at their upper ends, as effected by the weight of the gate supported therebetween.

lSecond eye bolts 2i), 20', have eyes 2l, 2I', and threaded Shanks 22, 22', are engaged through the upper ends of the posts II, II', immediately below the eye bolts I6, I6'. The eyes 2i, 2|', of the eye bolts 2i), 2B', are positioned on the inner sides of the supporting posts I I, I I', and the threaded Shanks 22, 22', are extended outwardly for the engagement of suitable nuts 2li, 2li', on the outer ends thereof. `The nuts 2i, 24', threadably engaging the threaded Shanks 22, 22', provide for the selected transverse adjustment of the eye bolts 26, 2li. A cable or suspension member 25 is engaged at its opposite ends in the inwardly extending confronting eyes 2l, 2l', of the eye bolts 2S, 20', as clearly shown in Figure l of the dr-awings.

A plurality of gate sections 2E, 26', are swingyably supported along the length of the horizontal suspension member 25 and depend therefrom into the water course iii.

The gate sections 26, 26', are formed with a pair of horizontal semi-cylindrical split sleeve sections 2l, 28, 27' and 28 respectively, forming horizontal sleeves or bearings 29, 29', circumposed on the supporting member 25. The split sleeve sections 21, 2B, of the sleeve 29 are formed at one end with complemental half clamping members 30, and at the other end with complemental half clamping members 30', while the split sleeve sections 21', 28' of the sleeve 29' are formed at one end with complemental half clamping members 30" and at the other end with complemental half clamping members Since the clamping members 30, 30', 39" and 30" are of the same specic structure, only one will be specifically described. The complemental clamping members 38 are each formed of a semi-circular member 3i fixed to the one end of the sleeve sections 21 and 28 by Welding or other suitable fastening means, and each of the clamping elements 3l is formed with an outwardly-extending apertured iiange 32 at the opposite ends thereof. A suitable bolt 34 is adapted to be engaged between the overlying flanges 32 of the cooperating clamping elements 3i for vixedly securing the sleeve sections 2'( and 28 together.

A clamping collar S is xed on the suspension member adjacent the complemental clamping member 30, a clamping collar 35' is xed on the L suspension member 25 between the complemental clamping members 3b' and 30", and a clamping collar 35?' is xed on the suspension member 25 adjacent the complemental clamping members 39', the respective collars securing the gate sections 25,. 26! against sliding movementy on the suspension. member 25. Since the structure of andthe manner of. securement of the collars 35, 35.', and 35 tothe suspension member 25 is identical, the description of the collar 35 is deemed l sufficient. The clamping collar 35 is formed of an. annular body 36. having circumferentiallyspaced-apart,l radially-extending threaded recesses 31 extending. therethrough and a set screw 38 threadably engaged in, each of the apertures 37. A rectangular head 3S is formed on the outer ends. of each of` the set screws 38 to provide for the suitable engagement of a toolfor threading the set screws through the body 36 for engagement with suspension member 25 Within the circular opening. 40 Within the body 36. A Washer 1li is circumposed about the suspension cable 25 between the clamping, collar 35 and the complemental clamping members 30 for spacing the latter members from the collar 35.

The sleeve section 28 of the sleeve 29 has a plurality of. longitudinally spaced apart hinge eyes. l2 along the length thereof, and the sleeve section 28 of the sleeve 29 has a plurality of 1ongitudinally spaced apart hinge eyes 42' along the length thereof. A gate bar i5 is swingably connected to each of the hinge. eyes 42 of the sleeve sectiony 28 of the sleeve 29 by means of a hook lill on the upper end of the bar, while a gate bar 45' is swingably connected to each oi the hinge eyes t2' of the sleeve section 28' of the sleeve 2Q' by means of a hook 44 on theY upper end of the bar 45. The upper end portions of the bars i5 of the gate section 2S are secured. together by means of transverse connecting bars or members et, and the upper end portions of the bars 4E of the gate section 26 are likewise secured together by means of transverse connecting bars or members` 4B', the. bars 46 and 136 being xed respectively to the depending bars 45 and 45' by welding or other suitable rigid attaching means. The plurality of. bars 415, 45', of each of the gate sections 261 swing as a unit from the respective sleeve 29; The lower ends of the gate bars or rods 45, 45', depend from the suspension member 2E a suitable distance for engaging in the water of the water course at the extreme low level of the Water and the connecting bars 46, 46', are positioned above the normal flood or high-water level of the water course, whereby iioating debris in the water may freely pass through the vertical bars i and will not be obstructed by any transverse connecting members in any normal stage of the water level, whereas the connecting bars 46, 4S', at the upper ends of the depending bars 45, d5', will provide an obstruction for the livestock to prevent the passage of the livestock through the Water gate lo.

A iiexible connecting member 41, which may be in the form of a chain, a cable or other suitable flexible member, is connected between the bars 45 and 45' of the gate sections 26, 26', to provide for the limited free swinging movement of each of the gate sections while also providing for the unitary movement of the sections together after a limited free swinging movement of any one of the gate sections. '.'Specirlcallm` the. flexible member "l1 has one end secured to a hook i8 formed on the outer one of the bars #35 of the section 26, the member il extending across and through a like hook lill formed on the inner one of the bars l5 of the. section 2E, through a like hook d8' formed on the inner one of the bars 45' of the section 26', Aand thence through, a like hook d8 formed on the outer one of the bars G5 of the section 26' with the other end secured to the hook fifi on the outer one of the bars d5 of the section 25.

The. thin depending gate bars il, IE5', provide for the free passage of the Vwater and debris as they are free and separated at their lower ends from the adjacentgate bar and they will not cause the eddying of the. water to form sand banks on the down-stream side of the gate, which normally results in damage or breaking of the gate at the time of the following flood.

By forming the gate ID of sections 26, 26', a suitable. gate may be provided for a water course i4 of any Width, as theseparate gate sections 26, 26', will provide for the same desirable result irrespective of the number of gate. sections 26, 26', which are connected together in the manner described above.

I do not mean to conne myself to the exact details` of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling Within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a water-gap gate 'having a suspension member for spanning a water course and a pluraiity or" gate sections depending from said suspension member, each of said gate sections coniprising a pair ofV semi-cylindrical sleeve sections circurnposed about and clampingly secured together about said suspension member and rotatable thereon, hinge eyes on one ci said. sleeve sections, a gate bar sxvingably depending from each of said eyes and depending at its lower end into said water course, and means clampingly engaged on said suspension member and engaging the adjacent end of each of said sleeve seetions for positioning'l said gate sections on said suspension member.

, 2. In a water-gap gate having a suspension member for spanning a Water course and a plurality of gate sections depending from said suspension member, each of said gate sections comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical sleeve sections .circuinposed about and clampingly secured tol gether about said' suspension member and rotatable thereon, hinge eyes in one of saidv sleeve sections, a gate bar swingably depending from each of said eyes and depending at its lower end into said water course, and clamping collars engaged on said suspension member and engaging the adjacent end of each of said sleeve sections for positioning said gate sections on said suspension member.

3. In a water-gap gate having a suspension member for spanning a water course and aj-plurality of gate sections depending from saidisuspension member, each of said gate sections comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical sleeve sections circumposed about and clampingly securdf together about said suspension member and rotatable thereon, hinge eyes on one of said sleeve sections, a gate bar swingably dependingfffrom each of said eyes and depending at its lower end into said water course, means clampingly engaged on said suspension member and engaging the adjacent end of each of said sleeve sections for positioning said gate section on said suspension member, and a horizontal flexible member secured between adjacent gate sections forming a loose connection therebetween providing for the limited free swinging of veach of said gate sections.

4. In a water-gap gate having a suspension member for spanning a Water course and afplurality of gate sections depending from saidsuspension member, each of said gate sections'comprsing a pair of semi-cylindrical sleeve sections, interengaging split clamp elements xed on-said sleeve sections clampingly securing said sleeve sections together, hinge eyes in one of said sleeve sections, a gate bar swingably depending from each of said eyes and depending at its lower end into said Water course, and clamping collars engaged on said suspension member and engaging the opposite ends of said sleeve sections for positioning said gate sections on said suspension member.

5. In a water-gap gate having a suspension member for spanning a water course and a plurality of gate sections depending from said suspension member, each of said gate sections comprising a sleeve circumposed about and clampingly secured about said suspension member and rotatable thereon, a f'v'plurality of hinge eyes depending from each of said sleeves, a gate bar swingably depending'frorn each of said eyes and depending at its lower end into said water course, and means clampingly engaged on said suspension member and engaging the adjacent end of each of said sleeves for nositioning said gate sections on said suspension member.

WILLIAM B. KING.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

